Flat-plate and evacuated-tube solar collectors, paired with split or close-coupled tanks. Free hot water from the sun, with electric or gas backup for cloudy days.
Solar hot water is a no-brainer in Australia for households of 3+ — payback of 6–8 years, then 20+ years of near-free hot water. We supply Apricus (evacuated tube), Rheem Loline (close-coupled), Solahart and Stiebel Eltron.
Roof orientation matters — north is best, NE/NW good, E/W still useful, south is poor. We'll assess via Google Earth before specifying.
Flat plate: cheaper, simpler, fine for warm climates and mild conditions. Evacuated tube: more efficient in cold/cloudy conditions, better for southern Australia and high-altitude sites. Both work — we recommend based on location and roof orientation.
North is best (full sun-tracking); NE/NW good (~80% of optimal); E/W still useful (~60%); south is generally not viable. We assess via Google Earth or site visit before specifying. Roof pitch also matters — 22–35° is ideal in most AU latitudes.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the Australian Renewable Energy Target — typical value $1,000–$2,000 off the install cost. State rebates (VEU, NSW ESS) sometimes apply. We handle all paperwork as part of installation.
"AHHAC delivered our 22-zone underfloor system on time, on budget and to spec. The crew were tidy, the documentation was thorough, and the commissioning was textbook."
"We've worked with AHHAC for 17 years. They've installed and serviced our hot water plant across three commercial buildings — and they pick up the phone on weekends."
"Three mobs quoted us; AHHAC's design was the only one based on a proper heat-loss calculation. The system runs beautifully — the others would've been oversized and expensive."